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Public Policy and Mobilization

Solutions, for today and our future. 

United Way Greater Toronto mobilizes community leaders, businesses, and government to bring forward practical solutions that address poverty in Peel, Toronto and York Region. We foster strategic partnerships, co-develop and share evidence-based knowledge and seize social and policy-making opportunities to address the root causes of poverty. Collectively, we have the tools to tackle systemic and persistent social issues that keep people in poverty and do so with a commitment to reconciliation, equity and anti-racism. 

Our priorities include: 

People working in office

A Strong Social Services Sector 

Building from Parkdale mixed housing redevelopment.

Housing Security

People working on a building wearing hard hats and vests.

Income Security

Group of residents at a community meeting.

Engaged and Connected Residents


For public affairs inquiries and opportunities please reach out to:

Lori Galway
Director, Public Affairs
lgalway@uwgt.org

Our public policy and mobilization in action

June 01, 2023

Our Future, Our Vote: A Toronto For All

Watch the mayoral candidates debate hosted by United Way Greater Toronto, The Toronto Star and Toronto Metropolitan University on May 31.

May 18, 2023

Feedback on Future Regulations to Create a Balanced Framework Around Municipal Rental Replacement By-Laws

This brief, submitted jointly by United Ways across Ontario, Tower Renewal Partnership and Neighbourhood Change Research Partnership provides feedback on proposal changes to enable the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing to set minimum requirements which municipalities must impose on landowners, if they have rental replacement by-laws. It follows an earlier submission in December 2022 with recommendations to the provincial government on preserving and renewing existing affordable rental stock so that low-income Ontarians can remain safely and securely housed.

February 06, 2023

Budget 2023: Ontario United Ways are Ready to Support Government in Building a Thriving Province

Ontario United Ways present four areas for the province to invest in that will address the growing roots of poverty and create a lasting impact.

December 20, 2022

Submission on Portable Benefits in Ontario

United Way Greater Toronto makes recommendations to the Government of Ontario on portable benefits policy to mitigate the impact of precarious employment on the health and wellbeing of workers and the provincial economy.

December 08, 2022

More Homes Built Faster Act

United Ways across Ontario, Tower Renewal Partnership, and Neighbourhood Change Research Partnership make recommendations to the provincial government on preserving and renewing existing affordable rental stock so that low-income Ontarians can remain safely and securely housed.

November 15, 2022

Ending homelessness in Toronto is within reach — if municipal candidates make it a priority

More people experience homelessness than ever before, and services meant to help are at a breaking point. We have the resources to end this crisis.

July 06, 2022

In Open Letter to Premier Doug Ford, United Ways across Ontario call for action on toughest issues facing Ontarians

United Way leaders from across Ontario addressed an open letter to Ontario Premier Doug Ford and his cabinet yesterday morning calling for close collaboration to alleviate a multitude of social issues plaguing the province.

January 17, 2022

Open Letter in advance of the provincial-municipal housing summit on January 19, 2022

United Way Greater Toronto believes that addressing housing affordability is critical to an equitable recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more about this open letter regarding the affordable housing crisis.